Oregon kicker Atticus Sappington drilled a game-winning, 39-yard field goal in the closing seconds to lift No. 9 Oregon to an 18-16 win at No. 20 Iowa on Saturday in a rain-soaked Kinnick Stadium. The Ducks overcame a late go-ahead touchdown drive by the Hawkeyes, marching down the field in the final minute to set up the game-winning kick and extend the nation’s longest active road win streak to 11 games.
After Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski gave the Hawkeyes their first lead of the game with a fourth-quarter touchdown run, Dante Moore orchestrated a composed, 54-yard drive, completing five consecutive passes — including a 24-yard connection to Malik Benson — to move Oregon into range for Sappington’s game-winner. The drive capped a second half in which Moore had been largely stifled through the air, missing on his only two throws prior to that final possession.
Noah Whittington led the Oregon ground game with 118 yards, while Jordon Davison added 52 and Dierre Hill Jr. contributed over 40 yards on the ground. Iowa leaned heavily on Kamari Moulton and Gronowski, combining for 112 yards on the ground, but a critical red-zone fumble, Oregon’s timely defensive stops and an early safety on a bad punt snap by Iowa ultimately gave the Ducks just enough margin to escape with the win.
Beyond the immediate thrill of the comeback, this victory is a major resume booster for Oregon’s College Football Playoff hopes. The Ducks had yet to beat an FBS opponent with a record above .500 coming into Week 11, and a road win against a top-20 Iowa team strengthens their case as November begins. For Iowa, meanwhile, the loss likely eliminates it from contention.
Read on below for takeaways from Oregon’s late rally to defeat Iowa.
